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UNITE slammed Reach Plc for pressing ahead with plans to close two of its historic printing presses after reporting better than expected profits today.
The union said some 250 jobs are at risk under plans to close the Watford and Saltire sites by the owner of the Mirror and Express newspapers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is completely wrong that Reach is intent on making skilled print workers redundant, especially as its financial success was built on their backs.”
Unite regional officer Jaswinder Singh said: “The closure of both sites will have a huge effect on our dedicated members, as well as their families and the local communities.”
He urged Reach to stop withholding “the financial rationale for why it has made this decision.”
Reach Plc said that it has delivered ahead of current market expectations in its results for 2025 today. It has been contacted for comment.
A Reach spokesperson said: “We are confident we are meeting all of our legal obligations in the information we are sharing with our unions and partners.”
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Sharon Graham addresses the Unite policy conference after talks over the Birmingham bin strikes break down
